Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and are there exceptions like mental illness or ... >> No, it is, and that is why it would be the
• /c><00:13:38.800> and<00:13:39.040> are<00:13:39.200> there<00:13:39.440> except
• <00:13:39.920> I<00:13:40.079> don't >> Okay. uh and are there except I don't
• >> Okay. uh and are there except I don't have<00:13:40.320> a<00:13:40.480> copy
• like mental illness or there exceptions like mental illness or >> no<00:13:46.160> it<00

Keywords: Discussion of SB 126 (2025 RS) 00:05:13 Discussion of HB 16 (2025 RS) 00:15:40 Kentucky Department of Parks – Overview 01:05:06, 958, all

Summary: The committee met jointly for State Government, State and Local Government, and Elections and Constitutional Amendments, approved the minutes from the September 23 meeting, and then took up discussion of Senate Bill 126, a proposed constitutional amendment to restrict the governor’s pardon power. Senator Chris McDaniel said the measure was prompted by concerns over pardons issued in 2019 and would bar pardons for 60 days before a gubernatorial election through the swearing-in of a new governor, leaving the power otherwise intact. Members who spoke generally supported the proposal as a way to increase accountability, and McDaniel said he intended to place it on the 2026 ballot. No vote was taken on the bill during the discussion. The committee then moved to House Bill 16 on water fluoridation. Representative Hart and Senator Greg Elkins said the bill would remove Kentucky’s fluoridation mandate and give local water districts the choice to add fluoride or not. They emphasized that the revised draft also adds immunity language to protect districts from civil litigation regardless of their decision. Dr. Jack Call, a Louisville dentist, presented against fluoridation, arguing that the main dental benefit is topical rather than from drinking water and citing studies and reports he said linked fluoride exposure to reduced IQ in children and other health concerns. Cindy Batson, a nurse and parent, also supported the bill and said she had testified on the issue for years. During questions, Senator Rollins raised concerns about fluoride being an industrial byproduct and described fluoridation as forced medication. The discussion remained focused on the bill’s local-control and immunity provisions, with sponsors saying they were not trying to relitigate the broader science but wanted to remove the mandate. The transcript ends while questions and testimony on HB 16 were still underway, and no final committee action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Upon the transfer of a vehicle, except for the creation of a security interest, a person is required
• upon the transfer of a vehicle except upon the transfer of a vehicle except for<00:42:33.920>
• Oh, except, um, just visit a little bit safety. Slow us down. All right.
• Oh,<00:50:24.800> except<00:50:25.280> um<00:50:25.680> just<00:50:25.839><
• c> visit<00:50:26.079> a<00:50:26.240> little<00:50:26.400> bit Oh, except um

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > we've<00:29:28.559> got<00:29:28.640> a<00:29:28.880> five-year vendor except
• we've got a five-year vendor except we've got a five-year contract?
• There's no... except for, again, the permitted investments, and that's a very long list of permitted
• 01:01:58.960> is there's no I I I what I could say is there's no I I I what I could say is except
• for sir again there the permitted except for sir again there the permitted investments<01:02:03.359>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on HB 302, which would add precious metals and digital assets as potential investment options. State Treasurer Monica Misipelli said she took no position on the bill and did not see an immediate fiscal impact or operational problem, but explained that the state’s operating funds and rainy day fund require liquidity and stability, so they would not be suitable for volatile assets like precious metals or digital assets. She said the only funds that might potentially use such investments would be certain trust funds held in perpetuity, which are managed by an outside investment advisor under a contract and investment policy. Members asked about the treasurer’s current investment practices, including the types of funds managed, the role and discretion of the investment advisor, the state’s risk profile, and whether the bill would affect existing authority. Misipelli said the office follows RSA 11 and related statutes, with different objectives ranging from conservative to aggressive depending on the fund, and that the advisor meets with the office regularly, with formal performance reviews on a quarterly basis. She also said the office recently centralized management of about 40 trust accounts totaling roughly $60 million into five combined portfolios under a five-year contract with an RFP-selected vendor. When asked whether precious metals or digital assets are already indirectly available through mutual funds, she said that was possible for some mutual funds, but she was not certain about digital assets. Representative Ammon, the bill’s sponsor, said similar legislation had passed the Oklahoma House, the Texas House and Senate, and had advanced in Arizona. He argued the bill was intended to give the treasurer more tools to help balance portfolios and hedge inflation, noting concerns about federal debt and inflation. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair ended the questioning after thanking the treasurer and asking her to remain available in case further questions arose.

Transcript Highlights:

• um and relates to uh reporting 2882 um and relates to uh reporting legitimate<00:14:29.920> exceptions
• <00:14:30.320> from<00:14:30.519> attendance legitimate exceptions from attendance
• legitimate exceptions from attendance from<00:14:31.519> school<00:14:32.519> section<00
• This is essentially how the bill was heard in committee, except that the new paragraph C that begins
• <00:57:10.839> that bill was heard in committee except that bill was heard in committee except

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not going to see it today, but we voted on everything except for this line and the one beneath
• :51:42.440> voted<00:51:42.799> on<00:51:43.400> everything<00:51:43.920> except
• today but we voted on everything except today but we voted on everything except for<00:51:44.599
• Mickey doesn't say, 'Well, everything except adequacy,' or at least lottery for adequacy.
• adequacy or at well everything except adequacy or at least<01:01:09.440> lottery<01:01:09.760

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Representative Sweeney present and defend the budget amendment legalizing video lottery terminals (VLTs) and setting a 30% tax rate, with 65% of the tax going to the state and 35% to charities. He argued the lower rate was needed to encourage operators of historic horse racing (HHR) machines to convert to VLTs, saying the higher 45% rate would discourage adoption. He walked through revenue projections for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, estimating significant increases in state and charity revenue as machines transition over time, and said the amendment was designed to expand charitable gaming revenue overall. Several members questioned the assumptions behind his projections and the basis for his analysis, including why his independent research differed from the governor’s and Lottery Commission’s estimates. Sweeney said his figures were based on research into other states and conversations over many years, and he maintained that a 45% tax would likely result in no VLT adoption. Members also debated whether the transition costs for operators would be quickly recouped and whether the state’s share should be larger. One member emphasized that the committee was effectively choosing between a lower operator share and a higher state share, while Sweeney argued the 30% structure would produce revenue for everyone. The committee then moved to other revenue items on the tracking sheet. It voted 7-0 to accept the Lottery Commission’s revised base revenue estimates. Members also discussed an amendment to repeal the local option requirement for Kino games, which would expand Kino availability and was estimated to generate additional lottery profit in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. That amendment drew opposition from members who said local control was an important part of the original Kino policy and that removing it would override municipal decisions. The committee also noted that the VLT/HHR revenue item had already been adopted and was being revisited only to confirm the associated revenue estimates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 20 removes an exception that allows untrained election judges to serve in precincts where less
• c><00:10:38.279> uh<00:10:38.399> removes<00:10:38.760> an<00:10:39.000> exception
• vote section 20 uh removes an exception vote section 20 uh removes an exception that<00:10:39.680
• 00:48:32.520> oversight<00:48:33.000> into<00:48:33.280> it<00:48:33.800> except
• <00:48:34.040> for have any oversight into it except for have any oversight into it except

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But without exception, communist countries depend upon vast networks of secret police to impose the party
• But without exception, communist countries depend upon vast networks of secret police to impose the party
• So the amendment replaces the bill except the effective date, which remains unchanged.
• We’re limiting everyone in the school except that one family, and I think that’s wrong.
• We’re limiting everyone in the school except that one family, and I think that’s wrong.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 749, which would require high schools to provide at least one hour of instruction on the nature and history of communism. The prime sponsor said the bill was prompted by concerns that students lack basic historical knowledge about communism and its effects, and argued that a short, flexible requirement could be embedded in an existing course without creating a new full class. He described communism as a totalitarian ideology and cited historical examples including the Soviet Union, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Cold War, and current events involving Russia, Ukraine, and Taiwan as reasons students should understand the topic. Members asked whether the subject is already covered in current social studies standards, whether one hour is enough, and whether the bill would apply to public, private, parochial, and charter schools. The sponsor said he did not believe communism is specifically required in current standards, that he would prefer a full course but was proposing a minimal requirement, and that he intended the bill to apply broadly to schools under the Department of Education’s umbrella, though he acknowledged the wording may need clarification for charter schools. He also said the proposal was both reactive and proactive, based on anecdotal concerns and his teaching experience. A second supporter testified that he was born in the Soviet Union and favored the bill, but suggested the instruction should emphasize critical thinking and explain both why communism can appeal to some people and why it can have harmful consequences. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, this bill adds an appropriate number of violent crimes to the list of exceptions.
• For example, this bill adds an appropriate number of violent crimes to the list of exceptions.
• For example, this bill adds an appropriate number of violent crimes to the list of exceptions.
• For example, this bill adds an appropriate number of violent crimes to the list of exceptions.
• For example, this bill adds an appropriate number of violent crimes to the list of exceptions.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• would really help. only a small percentage can without an only a small percentage can without an exception
• from<01:08:15.880> the<01:08:16.000> gambling<01:08:16.400> control exception
• from the gambling control exception from the gambling control board<01:08:17.600> and<01:08:17.759
• They are great partners and do exceptional work. I will leave it at that.
• work um and uh I will leave exceptional work um and uh I will leave it<01:28:52.440> at<01:28

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and then the reduction in the effect of the reduction in the sales tax will include all of these exceptions
• c><00:09:11.040> the about what all that means and the about what all that means and the exceptions
• that are that are um uh given exceptions that are that are um uh given here<00:09:18.079> um
• /c><00:09:49.399> of<00:09:50.279> these<00:09:51.279> um<00:09:52.360> exceptions
• <00:09:53.360> that include all of these um exceptions that include all of these um exceptions

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee met to hear a presentation from the Commissioner of Revenue on Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s tax proposal, with members told no public testimony would be taken because bill language was not yet available. The commissioner said the proposal would lower the statewide sales tax rate by 0.75 percentage points while expanding sales tax to selected professional services such as legal, brokerage, banking, and accounting, with several carve-outs. He emphasized that the plan would not add business-to-business sales taxes, arguing that taxing business inputs leads to tax pyramiding and higher hidden consumer costs. The commissioner said the rate cut would be the first sales tax rate cut in state history and estimated it at about $95 million annually, while the service expansions would raise about $203 million to $205 million annually, for a net increase of roughly $110 million per year. He said the proposal is part of the governor’s broader budget, which he described as addressing long-term structural deficits and funding other priorities such as an R&D credit, an expanded sustainable aviation fuel credit, fraud prevention, and service-member retention bonuses. He also said the carve-outs and exemptions would be reflected in the revenue estimate. Members questioned whether the proposal was truly a tax cut or instead a tax increase, and several asked for a revenue-neutral rate if all or more services were taxed. One member raised concerns about how pro bono legal work with a fee would be treated, and another asked about possible streamlining issues and whether fees are treated as taxes in statute. The commissioner said a fee would be taxable depending on the arrangement and that the department would review the language carefully once drafted. He also said the department would provide more detailed estimates later, including what the rate would be if the tax were made revenue neutral. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• The two minor ones are more technical, but the two major ones are that currently there's an exception
• And it does seem to the board that that exception could be made broader.
• <00:24:15.480> for currently there's an ex an exception for currently there's an ex an exception
• 07.640> made<00:26:08.240> broader<00:26:09.240> um<00:26:09.559> the exception
• could be made broader um the exception could be made broader um the information<00:26:10.720> however

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Jeff Sigerson, executive director of the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, who outlined the board’s mission and core programs: campaign finance disclosure, economic interest statements, and lobbying registration/reporting. He described the board as an independent agency with six members, noted current vacancies and confirmation requirements, and said the board’s budget request was essentially flat, with a base budget of about $1.793 million and most costs tied to salaries, office space, and other fixed expenses. He also reviewed the board’s enforcement structure, emphasizing civil-only penalties, a complaint-driven process, and the availability of reports, enforcement actions, and advisory opinions on the board’s website. Sigerson highlighted several recent and upcoming changes. Local ballot question committees for city, school district, levy, and bond issues now must register with the board if they exceed $750 in activity, and the board is preparing outreach and online registration tools to help local committees comply. He also discussed the public subsidy and political contribution refund programs, saying the board paid out about $2.12 million to 230 House candidates in 2024, that 93% of candidates signed the subsidy agreement, and that 2023 PCR refunds totaled about $447,000 for candidates and $1.616 million for party donors. He noted that the PCR maximum refund was recently increased from $50 to $75 per donation, and that payments could drop significantly in 2026 if the one-time supplement is not renewed. A major focus of the presentation was the board’s lobbying report and related legislative recommendations. Sigerson said the board is moving from tracking marginal expenses to tracking the subjects and entities being lobbied, and that lobbying will be expanded from certain metro-area governmental units to all cities, counties, school districts, townships, and other political subdivisions, potentially adding thousands of lobbyists. He said the board held two public hearings and received 23 written comments on proposed changes. The board’s main recommendations were to broaden the expert-testimony exception so that certain paid experts at local hearings would not need to register as lobbyists, while still requiring disclosure of who testified, before whom, and on what subject, and to adjust the current lobbying definition for local government employees and officials who spend more than 50 hours a month on intergovernmental lobbying work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Commissioner, please take a moment to introduce yourself, and I notice much of your exceptional staff
• Commissioner, please take a moment to introduce yourself, and I notice much of your exceptional staff
• Commissioner, please take a moment to introduce yourself, and I notice much of your exceptional staff
• Commissioner, please take a moment to introduce yourself, and I notice much of your exceptional staff
• <00:28:50.080> for or develop housing ourselves except for or develop housing ourselves except

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee met for an organizational hearing focused on introductions, committee jurisdiction, and a presentation from Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Commissioner Jennifer Ho. Members described their priorities for the session, including addressing HOA issues, senior housing affordability, manufactured housing exploitation, first-time homebuyer access, housing and health connections, homelessness protections, downtown conversions, and expanding starter homes, ADUs, and smaller multifamily housing. Chair Port emphasized bipartisan collaboration and the committee’s focus on removing barriers to housing production and expanding homeownership. A substantial portion of the meeting was devoted to remembering Senator Carrie Dietz, with Chair Port, Senator Draheim, and Commissioner Ho each describing her deep knowledge, behind-the-scenes leadership, and role in major housing accomplishments. They highlighted her work on fire sprinkler requirements in high-rise buildings, rental housing safety, public and nonprofit housing repairs, protections against predatory investors, manufactured and workforce housing, tenant protections, down payment assistance, local affordable housing aid, homelessness services, and the Bring It Home program, which helped pave the way for Minnesota’s rental voucher program. Advocates’ letters honoring her contributions were also made available to members. Committee staff then reviewed the panel’s jurisdiction, including housing and homelessness prevention, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency oversight and budget matters, housing bond allocation authority, housing infrastructure bonds, manufactured housing, rent control, transitional housing, and homeless prevention. Chair Port said the budget overview would be held for a later hearing. Commissioner Ho introduced her staff and outlined Minnesota Housing’s mission as a statewide mission-driven financial institution that finances affordable housing, homeownership, supportive housing, homelessness prevention, and manufactured housing through partnerships with lenders, developers, service providers, tribes, and local governments. No votes or formal legislative actions were taken at this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• in this section alters or supersedes either the principle of net energy metering under RSA 362A9, except
• to clarify that the commission except to clarify that the commission has<02:12:45.040> the<02
• Everyone that testified<02:30:09.600> except<02:30:10.000> for<02:30:10.160> the
• <02:30:10.319> woman<02:30:10.560> from<02:30:10.720> the testified except for the
• woman from the testified except for the woman from the Heartland<02:30:11.439> Institute<02:30

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, I'm I'm I'm the exceptions.
• for the masses and then doing amendments for the for<00:46:18.560> the<00:46:18.800> exceptions
• And some of the for the exceptions.
• a great deal and the masses exceptions a great deal and the masses get<00:46:25.920> lost<00:
• And if they see exceptional rates, that's new information for them to think about how they might improve

Keywords: During the committee meeting live stream, portion of the video was lost due to network issues. There were also some technical difficulties with content and the incorrect background image being used. The lost footage was recovered from backup, and the other issues corrected in post production editing. 1. 00:00:41 Call to Order 2. 00:01:02 Roll Call 3. 00:02:54 Approval of Minutes 4. 00:05:06 Statutory Reports and Data Requests 5. 00:35:14 2025 and 2026 Session Update 6. 01:03:10 Board Structure Updates and Subcommittees 7. 01:05:20 Public Comment 8. 02:23:14 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Board meeting opened with quorum, approval of the March 9 and March 16, 2026 minutes, and a welcome to new member Representative Willner. The board then heard a presentation from the Department of Medicaid Services on several statutory reports: the quarterly budget analysis (LRC) report, the quarterly MCO report, the provider tax and assessment report, the enrollee demographic report, the annual behavioral health/substance use disorder utilization report, and the Medicaid pharmaceutical rebate fund. Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Bechal explained the reports and answered questions. On spending, DMS said the quarterly budget analysis report should be read using the summary tabs because the first tab reflects only traditional Medicaid and does not include all populations. Lee said the first three quarters of fiscal year 2026 showed about $191 million more in waiver spending than the same period last year, about $250 million more in other categories such as nursing facilities, CCBHCs, and FQHCs, and roughly $450 million more in total fee-for-service spending. She also noted that Medicare Part D premiums are 100% state funds and estimated the state-fund increase at about $140 million. For managed care, DMS said pharmacy, inpatient hospital, and outpatient hospital spending made up about 66% of MCO payments so far this fiscal year. Members asked about administrative costs, provider tax impacts, citizenship-status categories, medical loss ratio, and whether the reports could be expanded to show recoupments and citizenship-based spending. DMS clarified that the spending figures discussed were benefit costs only, not administrative costs, and said administrative match rates vary. On the provider tax and directed payments report, Lee said the new CMS proposed rule would allow separate payment terms to continue through the grandfathering period, but that the impact would be substantial for providers even if the administrative effect was minimal. She also said DMS was still reviewing unusual citizenship categories such as “other” and “unspecified,” and would provide more information on medical loss ratio and recoupments if available. Auditor Ball raised concerns about alleged waste, duplicate Social Security numbers, ineligible enrollees, and high error rates in other programs. Lee responded that Medicaid focuses on fraud, waste, and abuse, but said the cited $800 million figure was not factual because it did not account for people enrolled in more than one Medicaid program at the same time. She said DMS is reviewing eligibility systems, including changes tied to community engagement requirements, and is working with the cabinet’s eligibility staff and ombudsman division on error rates. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said there are exceptions acknowledged in the bill and that those are good exceptions that strengthen
• And there’s some exceptions that are acknowledged there, and those are really good exceptions that also
• And there's some exceptions that assist.
• And there's some exceptions that are<01:54:55.679> acknowledged<01:54:56.239> there.
• /c><01:54:58.719> also really good exceptions that also really good exceptions that also strengthen

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <03:26:33.600> of<03:26:33.760> Troxel families with the exception of Troxel families
• with the exception of Troxel which<03:26:34.880> dealt<03:26:35.120> with<03:26:35.200
• Why should gender-related needs be the one exception?
• exception? exception?
• Why should gender-related needs be the one exception?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and social studies, Kentucky has a higher pass rate for every single year in the last three years except
• and social studies, Kentucky has a higher pass rate for every single year in the last three years except
• >> Mh.<01:06:56.960> with<01:06:57.520> some<01:06:57.760> exceptions<01:06
• :58.319> like<01:06:58.640> chemistry >> Mh. with some exceptions like chemistry
• >> Mh. with some exceptions like chemistry where<01:06:59.359> there<01:06:59.520> was

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call - 00:13 Approval of Minutes - 4:07 Kentucky Academic Standards for Reading and Writing - 5:18 Math Improvement Committee Report - 21:02 ETS Praxis Exam - 41:47 KDE Performance Review Data - 1:15:04 Adjournment - 1:57:54, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from KDE on the revised Kentucky academic standards for reading and writing. KDE explained the statutory six-year review process, the public comment periods, and the main revisions, including updates tied to the science of reading, decodable text, encoding/decoding, and an updated vision statement. KDE said 308 responses were received on the initial public comment, most respondents favored keeping standards as-is, and about 12% of standards were revised. The department also said the document was streamlined by removing repeated graphics and reducing its size by about 24%, and that a later comment period drew more than 400 responses. No new standards were flagged for review. Members asked about alignment between standards, curriculum, assessments, and NAEP, and KDE said instructional resources should be aligned to standards, KSA assessments are aligned to the standards, and screeners/diagnostics help identify student needs. Representative Truett raised the idea of a textbook-to-standards crosswalk, and KDE said publishers and a future repository partner should provide such crosswalks for local districts. Representative Bojanowski asked why foundational reading skills are not directly assessed on the third-grade KSA; KDE responded that the assessment is designed to measure end-of-grade expectations, while screening and diagnostics are used earlier to identify decoding needs. Representative Gel asked about early childhood supports, and KDE said it is working with early learning and special education offices and promoting LETRS professional learning for both teachers and preschool educators. The committee then received the mathematics improvement committee report. KDE said the mathematics committee unanimously approved a new strategic plan for improving math achievement from pre-K through grade 20 and adult education. The plan centers on six priorities: student empowerment, effective mathematics teaching and learning, continuous educator development and growth, a continuum of learning, community and family partnerships, and teacher recruitment and retention. KDE said the plan is intended as a living document with goals, recommended actions, and evidence bases, and that it aligns with the Kentucky Numeracy Counts Act by supporting high-quality instructional resources, professional learning, and family resources. In response to Senator Thomas, KDE explained that the professional learning recommendation means districts should tailor teacher training to classroom needs and instructional materials so math teachers are better equipped to implement standards and support students.

Transcript Highlights:

• pooled risk management program shall be governed by this chapter and shall be exempt from this title except
• Well, competitive enterprise is the worst form of economic organization except for all the others.
• Well, competitive enterprise is the worst form of economic organization except for all the others.
• Well, competitive enterprise is the worst form of economic organization except for all the others.
• Well, competitive enterprise is the worst form of economic organization except for all the others.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee continued work on Senate Bill 297 and a new amendment dealing with pooled risk management programs and whether they should be regulated under the insurance department. Lisa Duket, executive director of SchoolCare, testified at length that the draft language could allow co-mingling of public entity risk funds, could trigger producer-licensing requirements for staff who are not actually brokers, and may not fit public entity risk pools because they are not insurance companies. She also raised concerns about the March 1 reporting deadline, the proposed uniform accounting language, aggregate excess insurance, examination costs being charged to the program, and confidentiality provisions that she argued may conflict with right-to-know principles for public entities. She urged the committee to slow down and consider a study committee or more time for review, saying the regulated entities were not adequately involved in drafting the proposal. Chairman Hunt and the department responded that the bill is intended to create a licensure-based regulatory model, similar to other licensed industries, and that the pooled risk management program would be exempt from producer licensing while anyone else selling or negotiating such coverage would need a producer license. The department said failure to comply would be handled through an administrative licensing process, with denial or nonrenewal of a license and appeal through the department process. On the reporting deadline, the department said March 1 is a standard filing date used for financial analysis and that the filing can be the most recent annual report, regardless of fiscal year end. They also explained that the confidentiality language was taken from existing RSA 5B, that aggregate excess insurance was included as a solvency measure, and that the draft was intended to preserve familiar language while adapting it for pooled risk programs. The discussion did not include a final vote or formal action on the bill in the portion provided. The committee appeared to be compiling follow-up questions for the insurance department and considering whether additional revisions or a slower process would be needed before moving the bill forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also establishes exceptions.
• first up we have establishes exceptions first up we have Jack<01:45:08.360> Luen<01:45:08.880
• Secondly, this bill does not have any exceptions for a specific type of content.
• So, right, I’m looking at that as some kind of exemption or exception, which would reasonably apply to
• which would be um exemption or exception which would be um reasonably<02:05:23.400> apply<02:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard Senate Bill 1322, SD2, HD1, a comprehensive measure revising Hawaii’s mental health code. The bill would clarify emergency transportation, examination, and hospitalization procedures for people who may be mentally ill or suffering from substance abuse and deemed imminently dangerous, expand notice requirements, allow certain information-sharing for assisted community treatment petitions, and add liability protections for emergency responders and providers. The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill as a collaborative update to the law, while the Department of Health asked for a copy of provider-generated emergency transport documentation within five days for data and planning purposes. Testimony was sharply divided. Queen’s Health System, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, HHSC, and the Institute for Human Services supported the measure or parts of it but requested amendments, including clarifying whether a second psychiatric exam is required, restoring a 72-hour rather than 48-hour stabilization window, and adjusting where patients are taken when an MEO cannot be reached. The ACLU of Hawaiʻi strongly opposed the bill, arguing it weakens due process and civil liberties, especially around involuntary commitment, assisted community treatment, emergency transport by police, and reduced procedural safeguards; it urged the committee to hold the bill and consider an interim working group. Louie E.K. of the Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center also opposed the bill, focusing on immunity from negligence, the use of police for transport, and the reduction of a three-provider review to one in state-hospital treatment orders. Other testimony included support from an individual who said the bill could improve mental health care delivery amid provider shortages, and a comment from Hawaiʻi Health and Harm Reduction Center warning that the substance use portion of the bill lacks evidence of effectiveness and could be misused. In response to committee questions, the Attorney General’s office said the measure was developed with input from multiple stakeholders, including state agencies, hospitals, the ACLU, HHSC, and IHS, and that it aims to make assisted community treatment more accessible and effective by streamlining the legal process and improving consequences for noncompliance. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:36:43.680> for<00:36:44.079> me<00:36:44.880> defended because nobody except
• for me defended because nobody except for me defended the<00:36:45.520> Senate<00:36:45.839><
• for they're down here and they're except for they're down here and they're not<01:16:32.880> able
• Limmer, was exceptional. I loved working with Senator Kunesh and with Senator Westrom.
• I loved working with Kun exceptional.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all